League 2 betting preview: Hartlepool United- Accrington Stanley
Stanley are in lower mid table and have a nine point buffer over the drop zone, they probably need 4-5 points to be 100% safe , but have eight games to get them and I suspect that from now on in, it will largely be about planning for next season and boss John Coleman has already indicated that might be the case, as he brought in a youngster this week with a view to taking him on a long term loan in 2015/16. The hosts are without a win in six, conceding 12, two or more in five. Keeper Scott Davis has played ten games since coming into the team, just one clean sheet for him and no other keeper at the club has made even a single start. Five goal striker Sean Maguire was involved with the Republic of Ireland U21 squad last night in Waterford and is trying to get back for the game, but that prep is far from ideal, he has a goal and assist in his last two starts and Stanley have won just once in five in his absence. A far bigger loss in my opinion is key midfielder Andy Procter, who I have spoke before as Mr Stanley, he returned to the club early season, after trying his hand up a level, but is closing in on 300 league starts for the hosts and so much of what they do is based around him. He has missed ten games this season, five before he rejoined and five since, they have conceded at an average of 2.1 per match through those, giving up two or more in eight and this is a big loss. County have not loss in three starts versus Stanley since returning to the Football League, they look tight defensively and even if short offensively, there look to be goals or at least a goal in this for them against an opponent who are struggling at the back and who, have less to play for.
1.25 units Hartlepool United -0.5 ball 2.20-2.375 general quote
Good Luck.
Hartlepool United- Cambridge United (written March 28th)
What a huge game for Pool, after almost six months in the drop zone and seemingly heading for non league football, boss Ronnie Moore has turned them around and after being effectively nine points from safety three weeks ago, they could move out of the bottom two with all three points this afternoon. They have won their last three starts, including two on the road without conceding and what Moore has done as much as anything else, is install some self belief amongst the players and that has filtered through to everyone involved at the club, supporters, staff , everyone and the mood is said to be sky high and compeltely removed from the doom and gloom scenario of a few months ago. Even last month the local newspaper wrote ...."Moore said a few weeks ago that a lot of this crop won’t be professional footballers next season, they will be working in Asda. If they prove as bad at stacking shelves as they do playing football, then it’s doubtful Asda will have them ! " Now they are singing the praises of the team, there were signs that things were on the up , even before the trio of wins and the board has backed the manager in the loan market and he was allowed to do further business this week, bringing in Jordan Hugill from Preston North End to replace Ryan Bird, who was recalled by Cambridge United ( I wonder why ?) from his loan spell, they also slashed admission prices both last week and this, to try and get as much support behind the team as possible and the extra 30% + in the crowd will have a big effect again today. The visitors are struggling, the high profile cup run and two games with Manchester United have left them unable to "get up" for mundane fixtures and they are won just once in 15 starts and I do not see why they should be favourites for today. 1.5 units Hartlepool United level ball 2.01 asian line/Sportmarket.
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